96 
TOMATO CERTIFIED BY TEST —MEANS BETTER THAN THE REST 
One Ounceof Seed Should 
Produce 2000 Plants in the 
Hothouse or Coldframe 
| _ A Lb. of Seed Sown in the 
TOMATO or LOVE APPLE . Field Should Produce 
Ample Plants for 1 Acre 
The tomato was introduced in the year 1596, but for many years was cultivated only as a curiosity 
or ornamental fruit for the embellishment of the table. In fact, people were afraid to eat it, as there was 
a popular impression that it produced cancer, consequently it was eaten only by a few venturesome people. 
The first reference to the tomato in an American Seed Catalog is found in Landreths’ Catalog of 1820, 
and the variety then referred to was a yellow tomato. It was not until after 1840, when six varieties were 
cultivated, that they became a general article of diet, but all were poor in comparison with present varieties. 
In 1862 the Fiji, a large, rough, meaty, purple variety, was introduced. It was the forebear of all the 
purple varieties from which have been bred the Essex or Acme, and Beauty, with all their variations. In 
1866 were introduced the improved varieties, known then as Cooks Favorite, Canada Victor and others, 
which two years later were greatly improved upon by the Tilden. All the above are now in the discard list. 
The tomato is a warm season crop and should not be planted in the open until danger of frost is past. 
This applies to the South. In order to produce satisfactory yields in all other States, the modern grower 
or gardener plants the seed in hotbeds, greenhouses or in coldframes during the latter part of March or early 
in April. When the seedlings put out their first true leaves, some growers transplant them to other cold- 
frames or boxes spaced lxl inch or wider spacing. This gives a much better plant with a strong root system 
which will withstand the shock of setting out in the field much better than seedlings not transplanted. 
Tomato plants should be hardened before setting in the field. This is best accomplished by with¬ 
holding water a few days previous to moving them to the field. An average production of fruits is 7 tons 
per acre but in 1934 one of our farmers produced over 21 tons to the acre on 10 acres by using our Certified 
Marglobe Seed. 
In purchasing Landreths’ Bloomsdale Grown Tomato Seed, the buyer is certain of the absolute purity 
of what he buys. Every crop is produced from seed saved from hand-selected fruits of the preceding year, 
every one of the fruits being closely inspected and approved as to shape, color and internal structure, and 
what is more important, the only fruits saved are from vines of approved type, vigor, freedom from disease, 
and yielding qualities. Landreth is distributing a free circular on the tomato. All growers should have one. 
Seed Certification—All of Landreths’ Certified Tomato Seed has been certified by the Pennsylvania 
Department of Agriculture. See inside Front Cover for particulars. 
BONNY BEST (CERTIFIED)—100 Days 
This is an old favorite early tomato maturing after Earliana. The fruits are globular when small, 
becoming slightly flattened when they attain large size. Our strain has been selected for heavy yield, and 
where Bonny Best, John Baer or Chalks Jewel are used for market or canning, we highly recommend our 
Certified Bonny Best as meeting the requirements of this group. See uncertified seed, page 98. 
Pkt., 10c. Oz., 60c. i lb., $2.00. 
BREAK O’DAY (CERTIFIED)—95 Days 
This is a new tomato which has become a popular early red variety, grown in some western states with 
great success. Dr. F. J. Pritchard, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, originated this variety by 
crossing Marvana with the Marglobe. 
The vines are very open growing and somewhat resemble Earliana in appearance. The leaves are small 
and rather short for such a prolific plant. It is quite resistant to disease. The fruits are medium to large in 
size and quite closely resemble the Marglobe as to shape. Under good cultural and climatic conditions where 
a heavier vine growth and a somewhat lower summer temperature prevails, the Break O’Day will produce 
satisfactory external and internal color. This variety is not recommended for light nor sandy soils. It is 
only a few days later than our Earliana. See uncertified seed, page 98. 
Pkt., 10c. Oz., 60c. i lb., $2.00. 
GREATER BALTIMORE (CERTIFIED)—110 Days 
A main crop or midseason variety grown in the South. It is earlier than the Stone types, and there¬ 
fore may produce a more satisfactory crop for you. Our strain of Greater Baltimore has been carefully 
plant-selected for large sized fruits and for good red internal color and solid structure.. The vines are vig¬ 
orous and healthy. See uncertified seed, page 99. 
Pkt., 10c* Oz., 60c. J lb., $2.00. 
